BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1854
88R13358 RDS-D	By: Paxton
	Finance
	3/30/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, Teacher Retirement System (TRS) retirees may participate in a health insurance program called TRS-Care. This insurance does not include major coverage for dental or vision care, unless it is a medical issue or part of a limited set of benefits provided in the TRS-Care Medicare Advantage plan.

Other state employees and retirees already have access to state-sponsored group dental and vision benefits and this bill simply requires TRS to establish a contract for vision and dental that may be used by TRS-Care retirees who opt in.

As proposed, S.B. 1854 amends current law relating to optional group benefits for dental and vision care under the Texas Public School Employees Group Insurance Program.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 1575, Insurance Code, by adding Section 1575.1601, as follows:

Sec. 1575.1601. GROUP BENEFITS FOR DENTAL AND VISION CARE. Requires the Teacher Retirement System of Texas to establish or contract for and make available under the group program the following plans for retirees, dependents, surviving spouses, and surviving dependent children:

(1) an optional plan that provides coverage for dental care; and

(2) an optional plan that provides coverage for vision care.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.